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Burns (Holistic)

About This Condition

Extreme heat, chemicals, and sun exposure can burn tissue and cause a great deal of discomfort. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Block the harsh rays

Avoid sunburns by applying sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) regularly

Take extra antioxidants

Protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays by taking daily supplements of 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin E and 2,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C during periods of high sun exposure

Smooth on aloe

Speed the healing of minor burns by applying a stabilized herbal gel three to five times a day

About

About This Condition

Burns are damage to tissue that can result from exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, electricity, or radioactive material.

For minor burns, natural medicine may be helpful after the burn is cleaned with soap and cold water and gently dried. Because of the risk of infection, topical applications should not be made to blistered or open burn wounds, unless under medical supervision. Extensive burns or burns causing more than minor discomfort should be treated by a healthcare professional.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the severity and cause of the burn but usually include pain and sensitivity to touch. The skin may appear swollen, blistered, dried, charred, weeping, or red, gray, or black-colored.

Holistic Options

Acupuncture may be useful in the treatment of serious burns. A report of patients suffering from extensive second-degree burns suggests acupuncture can reduce shock and pain following the acute injury and may reduce infection and pain when used as a part of post-injury wound care.1 A preliminary report described ten patients with second-degree burns that did not respond to conventional medical treatment. A majority of these patients achieved greater than 90% recovery following electrical stimulation to the wound (similar to electroacupuncture).2 Ear (auricular) acupuncture with electrical stimulation was studied in a small controlled trial, in which a significantly greater reduction in pain from burns was achieved with acupuncture. The relief lasted at least 60 minutes following acupuncture treatment.3

Eating Right

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

Recommendation

Why

Eat a healthy diet

The body needs adequate amounts of calories and protein in order to build new skin and tissue.

The body repairs and builds new tissues in a process called anabolism. Adequate amounts of calories and protein are required for anabolism, as the skin and underlying tissues are comprised of protein and energy is needed to fuel repair mechanisms. While major injuries requiring hospitalization raise protein and calorie requirements significantly, injuries such as minor burns should not require changes from a typical, healthful diet.4

Supplements

Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Supplement

Why

2 Stars

Aloe

Apply gel three to five times per day

The herb Aloe vera is a popular remedy for minor burns, and a preliminary study found it more effective than Vaseline in treating burns.

Aloe is a popular remedy for minor burns and a small preliminary study found it more effective than Vaseline in treating burns.5 The stabilized aloe gel is typically applied to the affected area of skin three to five times per day. Older case studies reported that aloe gel applied topically could help heal radiation burns,6 but a large, double-blind trial did not find aloe effective in this regard.7

2 Stars

Sea Buckthorn

Refer to label instructions

Sea buckthorn extracts may speed the healing of skin injuries, including burns.

In animal studies, sea buckthorn extracts have been shown to speed the healing of skin injuries, including burns.8 In a controlled trial,9 people treated for burns with dressings containing sea buckthorn oil had greater pain relief and faster healing than those treated with a standard burn dressing.

2 Stars

Vitamin D

200 to 600 IU day in cases of extensive burns

People with a history of an extensive burn might benefit from vitamin D supplementation, since the skin may not be as effective at manufacturing vitamin D from sunlight.

Burns affecting a large proportion of the body may result in vitamin D deficiency10, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis, which is a frequent long-term consequence of severe burns.11 Vitamin D deficiency may result from the inability of previously burned skin to manufacture vitamin D after exposure to sunlight. People with a history of an extensive burn might benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

1 Star

Calendula

Refer to label instructions

Calendula is anti-inflammatory and may be applied topically to minor burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue repair.

Calendula cream may be applied to minor burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue repair. It has been shown in animal studies to be anti-inflammatory13 and to aid repair of damaged tissues.14 The cream is applied three times per day. Plantain is regarded as similar to calendula in traditional medicine, though usually the whole leaf is applied directly to the burn as a poultice.

1 Star

Colloidal Silver

Refer to label instructions

Colloidal silver has been used as a topical antiseptic for minor burns for over a century.

Colloidal silver has been used as a topical antiseptic for minor burns for over a century. Internal use of colloidal silver is not recommended for this condition.

1 Star

Gotu Kola

Refer to label instructions

Gotu kola contains substances that inhibit scar tissue from forming, it has been used in the medicinal systems of central Asia for centuries to treat numerous skin diseases.

Gotu kola has been used in the medicinal systems of central Asia for centuries to treat numerous skin diseases. Saponins in gotu kola beneficially affect collagen (the material that makes up connective tissue) to inhibit its production in hyperactive scar tissue following burns or wounds.15

1 Star

Plantain Topical

Refer to label instructions

Plantain is usually applied directly to the burn to soothe pain and help repair damaged tissue.

Calendula cream may be applied to minor burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue repair. It has been shown in animal studies to be anti-inflammatory16 and to aid repair of damaged tissues.17 The cream is applied three times per day. Plantain is regarded as similar to calendula in traditional medicine, though usually the whole leaf is applied directly to the burn as a poultice.

1 Star

Vitamin E

Refer to label instructions

Using the antioxidant vitamin E topically on minor burns is a popular remedy. If applying vitamin E topically, use the tocopherol form.

Despite a lack of research on the subject, using vitamin E topically on minor burns is a popular remedy. This makes sense, because some of the damage done to the skin is oxidative, and vitamin E is an antioxidant. Some doctors suggest simply breaking open a capsule of vitamin E and applying it to the affected area two or three times per day. Vitamin E forms are listed as either "tocopherol" or "tocopheryl" followed by the name of what is attached to it, as in "tocopheryl acetate." While both forms are active when taken by mouth, the skin utilizes the tocopheryl forms very slowly.18, 19 Therefore, those planning to apply vitamin E to the skin should buy the tocopherol form.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.

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